What is Syllogism:
A syllogism is a deductive reasoning which consists of two premises (major and minor), from which we reach a conclusion.
The syllogism is an argument made up of three propositions, the conclusion being contained in one of the first two and, showing the other, that the same conclusion is contained there.
The syllogism is taken as a deductive reasoning, since a third is inferred from two judgments.
The “major premise” is the one that serves as a starting point, and is the most general.
The “minor premise” serves as an intermediary and is less general, and from these two the conclusion of the reasoning is deduced.
Based on the previous information, the most classic example of the syllogism is:
All men are mortal. (Major premise) Pedro is a man. (Minor premise) Therefore, Pedro is mortal. (Conclusion)
According to the Greek philosopher and thinker Aristotle, reasoning is a chain of judgments, and starting from one premise, others are discovered.
Aristotle relies on both deductive and inductive reasoning, but the key to deducing is to go from the particular to the general.
With respect to the syllogism, a series of things must be taken into account. rules for its validity:
A syllogism contains three propositions. Nothing can be concluded from two negative premises. A negative conclusion cannot be obtained from two positive premises. If a premise is negative, the conclusion is negative. If the conclusion is negative it is because one of the premises is also negative. It is negative. No conclusion can be drawn from two particular premises. The middle term cannot enter into the conclusion.
The mode of syllogism results from the arrangement of the premises according to their quality (affirmative or negative) and quantity (general or particular). Each of the premises can be:
affirmative universal (A), negative universal (E), affirmative particular (I) negative particular (O).
Regarding the legal contextthe syllogism is a tool that supports the interpretation of the norm, which allows it to be adapted with respect to the facts to guarantee the solidity of the jurist’s argument, as well as his position in the judicial procedure.
Etymologicallysyllogism is of Latin origin “syllogismus”, and this in turn is from Greek.
Types of syllogism
categorical syllogism
It is one in which the major premise affirms or denies. This means, A is part of C, and B is part of C, for example:
All living beings breathe. An animal is a living being. An animal breathes.
hypothetical syllogism
Also called conditional, one in which the major premise presents an alternative, and the minor premise affirms or denies one of the alternatives, for example:
If you don’t do your homework, you won’t do well in the subject. If it doesn’t go well in the subject, then it doesn’t pass the year. Therefore, if you don’t do your homework, you won’t make it through the year.
disjunctive syllogism
It is characterized because it does not affirm that the premises are true, but only one of them, but not simultaneously, for example:
This afternoon they will visit their uncles or cousins. The visit is not to the uncles. Then, the visit is to the cousins.
See also the meaning of: